We offer various building-related projects for our volunteers who would like to leave a tangible legacy in South Africa. This project is set in semi-rural South Africa and gives you as the volunteer a unique sense of community.

Voluntours has successfully project-managed and built various structures in our programme areas. We have renovated the original pre-school building; built an additional room onto the pre-school (50 sqm); built a pit latrine at the pre-school; put up a fence around the pre-school; rebuilt two traditional Ndebele huts in the traditional manner (wattle-daub).

Voluntours has also successfully piloted the building of alternative housing in the form of a sandbag house for an indigent member of the community. We are continually looking at cost effective, safe and eco-friendly building alternatives.

Our volunteers build together with members from the local communities … a unique opportunity to get to know local South Africans. For example, we have had Bill talking to Pastor Peter about Christianity vs Humanism over their lunch break!

We endeavour to use local suppliers (rather than large national retail chain stores) when buying supplies for our projects. Whether it be the local “double” size cement brick or the donkey cart to collect building sand. This is in line with our Responsible Volunteering policy in which we impact economically, socially and environmentally with the local communities.

We would like our next building project to be environmentally friendly. So if you have any experience in building with alternative materials, like eco-bricks, sand-bags or …. please talk to us.

• Community / Youth Centre serving the Ndebele Village and surrounding communities
• Recreation facility (including boma, braai, campfire and thatch-roofed area) at Ndebele Village incorporating Ndebele architecture.
• Solar water, heating and electricity

If you would like to get involved in future building projects please let us know. You do NOT need to have building experience as local supervision is provided.

Volunteers will be accommodated at the Ndebele Village or local community Homestay during the suggested builds, unless the build takes place in other areas / communities. Please see other Ndebele based projects for relevant accommodation fees and costs.

The “Project Contribution” included in your overall fee will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the project during your actual volunteer stay on the ground. On your return home you may continue to support the project financially with donations via TravelPledge, a UK-based charity, or via our separate Donations Account. Please enquire with our office for further information.

Your Voluntouring experience is not complete without taking in some key heritage and tourist sites during your off-periods. To find out more about South Africa and some of the fantastic sights and activities that await you see the “Sightseeing SA” tab on our home page for more information.